Tyler Hall, back-to-back State Open champ, ready to defend after offseason surgery

When Tyler Hall was a young junior golfer, he used to go to the New Jersey State Open to watch the best players in the area compete.

When Hall, a Wayne native, left New Jersey to pursue a career as a touring professional, it was with a pang of disappointment that he never won the State Open. But when he returned two years ago, to become the director of instruction at Clifton’s Upper Montclair Country Club, Hall take care of that, becoming the first golfer in more than 20 years to win the State Open back-to-back.

“The State Open is something that has always been dear to me,” said Hall. “And [winning back-to-back] is probably one of the greatest accomplishments of my professional career.”

Wayne's Tyler Hall, pictured in the 2016 New Jersey State Open, will be going for his third straight State Open title July 11-13 at Metedeconk National GC in Jackson.(Photo11: Greg Mattura/NorthJersey.com)

And so when Hall had to undergo major surgery on his right shoulder last fall, it made sense that he went under the knife with the State Open in mind.

Hall had his surgery in November, the day after his 2016 competitive season wrapped up. The hope was that by having the surgery so soon, he’d be fully ready to play in the State Open, July 11-13 at Metedeconk National GC in Jackson. And with only a week to go before the tournament, Hall said that goal has been achieved.

The was long and difficult. It meant that Hall didn’t swing a golf club from November through March as he rehabbed from surgery to repair his rotator cuff, labrum and AC joint. Back when he was playing for a living, that stretch would have been excruciating in every way. But since he’s now making his living as an instructor, he found the lack of playing to be a nice little reprieve.

“I almost enjoy some of the time off,” Hall said. “It’s a good break for me. It kind of gets me to mentally, emotionally and physically recharge.”

But when he returned to action in April, playing in an NJPGA event as he continued his rehab, he admitted it was difficult to manage expectations.

“When I play, I want to play well and I want to win,” Hall said. “So it’s hard for me to come in and keep my expectations low like they were to start the season. It’s tough to swallow when you know what you can do and you’re not physically able to do it.”

But in May, when Hall made it through local qualifying for the U.S. Open, his mindset changed.

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“I was like, ‘Wow, I didn’t think I’d be this far along this soon,’” Hall said.

And so Hall feels just about 100 percent as he begins making final preparations for the State Open. The problem, as it turns out, is finding the time to practice.

Hall was completely booked giving lessons at Upper Montclair Country Club last week — eight lessons a day — meaning he didn’t work on his swing at all. But Hall isn’t worried. He’s become a bit of an expert on getting ready at the last minute.

This week, he’ll steal some practice time on the range in between lessons, and work on his short game at night. Near the end of the week he’ll play nine holes a couple of times when he can, and then a match to get the competitive juices flowing. By the time he plays with some members on Saturday, his game should be ready for the start of the Open less than 48 hours later.

There was a time when that little preparation might have bothered Hall. But Hall’s career change has also changed his mindset.

“It used to be golf was all I had, playing was all I had,” Hall said. “So I’d get hyper focused for a lot of these events and sometimes that can get in your way. So now, teaching is a really healthy distraction for my playing. At the end of the day, regardless of how I play, it’s not food on my table like it once was. It’s just kind of all icing. So it’s fun to know that I still have some game and I don’t overthink it, I don’t overanalyze the process.”

And it also helps that Hall has a little bit of experience coming back from surgery. Back in 2011, Hall won the MGA’s Met Open. And he did it after recovering from extensive surgery on his left shoulder.

“The good thing is, and what helps me sleep a little bit easier, is knowing that I’ve gone through it before and had success after it — even not feeling 100 percent,” Hall said. “So I know my body is going to hold together, it’s just about performing and beating a strong field.”

And if Hall can once again win a big tournament after a big surgery, how will he celebrate?

“If I win [the State Open] or the Met Open this year I’m going to have to go hack something out of my body next fall,” Hall said with a laugh.